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Wednesday, November 21, 2012

On November 7th, two amazing things happened. Two very sweet people, together with their family and friends, exchanged vows in paradise and joined hands in marriage under a tropical sunset sky. And I fulfilled a dream!

Where do I begin...

Saying that I was honored to shoot Christine + Steven's destination wedding would be an understatement. It was by far a highlight of my photography career. I have wanted to be a photographer since I was sixteen years old. I never realized where it would actually take me.

I met Christine last year. At her sisters wedding. It was a beautiful summer day in July. I was the photographer. When the opportunity came to work with these girls and their wonderful family again, I was so pleased. When Christine emailed me and asked if I would be available to shoot her destination wedding, I was thrilled beyond measure. To know someone is willing to put their faith in you to capture their wedding day is an amazing feeling. To be flown to paradise to shoot their wedding is out-of-this-world...there simple aren't enough words.

Christine + Steven said "I do" at the Luxury Dreams Punta Cana Resort in the Dominican Republic. Lush gardens, blue skies and palm trees offered the perfect backdrop for their Caribbean wedding. The warm tropical breeze was dreamy. The ceremony took place in the main courtyard beneath the wedding gazebo just before sunset, followed by an outdoor candlelight reception. The whole day was magic. I feel so blessed to have been part of it.

Christine + Steven, Congratulations to you both! Thank you again for allowing me to be a part of your special day. I wish you the happiest of lives together. May the joy and happiness you felt on your wedding day remain in your hearts forever and may the sun always shine whenever you may be. Love makes life a paradise. May it surround you always.

The ceremony was set to begin at 5pm and at the time, the sunset in Punta Cana took place at 5:56pm...not much time for pictures. Christine + Steven opted to see each other before the wedding ceremony (often referred to as a "First-Look") to ensure we had plenty of time for pictures around the resort.

The first couple of images here were taken on the Himitsu (Japanese) Restaurant terrace, which overlooks the Santo Domingo Plaza and Wedding Gazebo.

The First Look...

So Sweet...

...and then it was time to walk down the aisle.

Christine and Steven are blessed to have such a lovely group of people in their lives.

The cocktail party, followed by the wedding dinner and dance took place on the El Patio Terrace. Sitting along the side of the Mexican Restaurant, the El Patio Terrace featured a pergola-styled roof and stone archways, lush gardens and water fountains. It was a beautiful venue to celebrate a beautiful day.

...and they danced the night away.

To my husband, Tom, Thank You for sharing this dream with me. Thank you for acting as my human light stand and for offering a smile and wink of support whenever time allowed. I love you.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The 2012 wedding season has been the year of high school sweethearts. Like many of the newlyweds I've met this year, Terri Lee and Calvin met as teenagers and have been together for almost a decade.

Together with their family and friends, Terri Lee and Calvin exchanged wedding vows on Saturday, October 8th. Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. The wedding took place in the west coast community of Plum Point on the Northern Peninsula.

Terri Lee and Calvin's beautiful fall wedding was literally sandwiched between two days of heavy rain. Their special day unfolded perfectly. We didn't see a drop of rain until late in the evening...at which point, the newlyweds, wedding party and most of their guests were dancing the night away...only stepping outside to cool off and to catch their breath.

Congratulations Terri Lee and Calvin. Thank you for inviting me to Plum Point and allowing me to capture your first day as husband and wife. I wish you another decade of love and happiness.